Merkel, Hollande agree refugee crisis needs EU solutionFebruary 8, 2016 - 11:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande stressed on Sunday, February 7, the migrant crisis, which brought more than a million people to the European Union last year, needs an EU-level solution, Reuters reports. The two leaders were meeting in Strasbourg on the Franco-German border to discuss the agenda of the next European summit on February 18-19. They had a private meeting before joining EU Parliament Chairman Martin Schulz for dinner. Hollande and Merkel agreed the action plan defined by the European Commission was a priority, a source close to the French president said, according to Reuters. The plan involves assistance to Greece to control its borders, reinforcing its means to register refugees but also a fight against smugglers and the acceleration of procedures to expel illegal migrants. It also includes a package for Turkey to help it curb the influx of migrants into Europe. Separately, the two leaders also expressed a "strong common concern" about the situation in Syria, the French source said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Ameriabank named Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance Ameriabank has been named the Best Bank in Armenia by Global Finance magazine in its 31st annual awards. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. |